Kate Garraway is reportedly planning a journey around the world to find a pioneering treatment in a final attempt to save the life of her husband Derek Draper.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 55, has cared for her husband, also 55, since he came down with an unusually severe case of long-term covid in 2020.
Derek fought for his life after contracting the virus in March 2020. He was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance where he was placed on a ventilator and in an induced coma.
Kate is now planning a trip around the world for pioneering treatment in a “final hope” to save her husband of 13 years..
A source told Bella magazine: “This is really Kate’s desperate gamble to try and save Derek’s life and she’s willing to try anything.”
Last Hope: Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway is planning a trip around the world to save her husband Derek Draper
Sad: Derek, 55, is the UK’s longest-serving Covid patient, having been in hospital for a year
“She has been investigating a number of experimental medical options around the world and particularly in Mexico in an effort to save it from the devastating effects of Covid-19.
Kate only wants the best for Derek. She wants to try it because she feels that it is her last hope.
Derek, a former political adviser, previously traveled to Mexico in 2021 and 2022 to conduct clinical trials.
As a result of lockdown rules during the pandemic, Kate and the couple’s two children, Darcey, 16, and Billy, 13, were unable to visit him while he received treatment.
13 months later, Derek was finally allowed to go home.
However, after the long period of hospitalization, his body was ravaged by various disabling conditions and he now remains confined to a bed and a wheelchair.
While Derek’s chance of long-term recovery is not yet known, the “utter devastation” to his body is undeniable.
Although Kate insisted they had received “wonderful treatment” from the NHS, which was essential in keeping her husband alive, the trips abroad offer “treatment that can save their lives”.
Battle: The Good Morning Britain star has cared for Derek, both 55, since he fell ill with Long Covid in 2020 after falling seriously ill with the virus at the start of the pandemic
Horrible: Derek became the UK’s hardest-suffering coronavirus patient after spending 13 months in hospital, apart from Kate and their two children: Darcey, 16, and Billy, 13 (pictured together)
In addition to the trip, the Smooth Radio presenter has had to spend ‘tens of thousands of pounds’ fitting out the family’s London home for Derek, which included installing ramps, a ground-floor bathroom and a makeshift bedroom upstairs. Downstairs.
Due to the severity of his illness and the time he has spent in the hospital, he is still unable to walk and has developed debilitating symptoms.
In the summer of last year, Derek developed sepsis and was rushed back to the hospital, where the severe condition nearly killed him.
Speaking about his current condition and caring for him, he told The Sun: “There are some days where he literally can’t do anything and it’s like the computer is off.”
“He can’t move, and he’s in a lot of pain as we manipulate him, trying to get him to move more so he doesn’t go backwards.”
The host noted that despite Derek’s insistence that they continue, she says it’s “unbearable” to see him suffer, admitting that it makes her “emotional” just talking about it.
However, she added: “It also makes me fall in love with him all over again because of that spirit, that determination to keep going.” Derek is trapped, but continues to fight. We hold on to the good days.
Reflecting on the ups and downs of caring for her husband, Kate commented that every day is a ‘roller coaster’ as Derek’s spirit ‘fluctuates’.
The journalist added that it is “heartbreaking” to see her husband of 18 years unable to move with tears streaming down his face, noting how “difficult” it is for them, she “cannot imagine” how difficult it is for them. Derek.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Kate Garraway for comment.
